For those that have been playing MechWarrior Online, it seems that the same studio Piranha Games has also been working on a new mainline game in the series. Titled MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries it’s now made the shift over to Unreal Engine 4, from MechWarrior Online’s CryEngine. In the latest reveal trailer (shown below), we get to see an old Shadow Hawk taken through its paces (shown above). This particular unit is also one not without controversy, as like many of the early BattleTech designs the Shadow Hawk was actually a straight up copy of the Dougram.

Now, when I interviewed Kunio Okawara, the designer behind Dougram, and Rysosuke Takahashi, the writer and director for the series, fairly recently neither seemed that fussed about this kind borrowing of material. However, Takahashi did make a point to say that it was really Sunrise’s call on whether anything should be done about the situation. That said, when I also interviewed Shoji Kawamori about his designs being used in BattleTech he wasn’t best pleased.

In short, even after all these years the BattleTech and subsequent MechWarrior games are still not free of this Unseen controversy. The fact that MechWarrior 5 went with the Shadow Hawk as part of its reveal seems a strangely unnecessary move, when they can clearly design something fresh and new instead (though this version of the Shadow Hawk has already been reworked quite a bit). This is also something of an ongoing issue with the MechWarrior series, as I covered some licensing issues back in 2009.

Personally, I am glad to see a new mainline MechWarrior game but after all the ineptitude surrounding MechWarrior Online I am not holding out any hope that this will be any good. Currently, there is no news of a release date or platform but I am guessing it will make its way to PC at some point.

The free update and paid DLC for the excellent Macross Delta Scramble is finally out and it is really rather great. To commemorate the release, Bandai Namco unveiled a series of new videos about the new content (shown below). Considering that the initial release was somewhat light on content, even after Macross 30, this update is both welcome and necessary. While the free update adds more Macross Delta story missions, the paid DLC covers the Extra missions that are focused on other Macross series. In order to purchase the latter you will need a Japanese PSN account. In any case, if you have a Vita and haven’t bought Macross Delta Scramble already then you should really correct that oversight.

The excellent Macross Delta Scramble on PS Vita will be getting some DLC on November 30th. Not only will this include a free update with additional Macross Delta missions but also separate paid DLC that will include Extra missions from other Macross series. The later DLC will be priced at 1000 yen and will encompass all manner of new mecha, pilots and missions. Naturally, you will need a Japanese PSN account to access the paid DLC. Considering the reduced content was somewhat of an issue in the original release, I am glad Bandai Namco are funding Artdink to rectify matters. If you haven’t done so already, you can import the game here.

With the Full Armor Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt already in the Maxi Boost On roster, it wasn’t going to be too long until the titular Zeon antagonist unit was added as well. The Psycho Zaku joins the EXVS series in all its obscene glory as a very mobile long range 2500 cost unit. Aside from the expected menagerie of artillery attacks due to its given arsenal, it has a nice array of lateral movement options when using its secondary weapons and melee attacks to always keep you on the move similar to Full Armor Unicorn’s side bazookas. While an official teaser vid hasn’t been released, you can check out a fair amount of gameplay via NicoNico here.

Next up, the Astray Red Frame has been given a brand new burst attack thanks to the upcoming release of a new Metal Build Astray Red Frame Powered Red version with the ridiculous 150 Gerbera Straight cannon. It’s always good to see older units get an upgrade when a game initially releases, so seeing something like this appear well into Maxi Boost On’s lifespan is interesting. I suppose this does make more sense as we will probably not see another home version of the EXVS series released with the new Gundam Versus PS4 taking the reigns in its stead.

The last major portable Macross game was Macross Triangle Frontier back in 2011, since then we’ve had Macross 30 on the PS3. That was a slower game dubbed as a “flight action RPG”. In the time since, Artdink has been working on a variety of other Vita games, from Gundam Seed Battle Destiny to all sorts of Sword Art Online titles. The result of all this studious work is that Artdink has probably made one of the best Macross games in recent memory.

In a new video on the Bandai Metal Build F91 page (also shown below), we have finally been given more details about the upcoming toy. Besides its elegant silhouette, the toy will also have four main points that gives it a distinction from previous Metal Builds. It is the first toy in the range to utilize etched parts, which allow for more detail than its counterparts. In addition, it will also be given the V.S.B.R, a brand new gimmick from the designer Kunio Okawara, which is a metallic rifle that also extends to reveal much more. Up next are the heat-radiating fins, which protrude from the shoulder pads. The final point is that you have the ability to open the face of the F91 (which is my favorite feature of the four, because when was the last time you saw a Gundam without its mask?). The Metal Build F91 will be released April 2017 for the price of 20,520 yen. Until then, I’ll keep you in the loop with any further updates.

Macross Delta Scramble is finally released on the Vita in Japan today. This is a continuation of Studio Artdink’s solid Macross games on PSP, as well as their PS3 game Macross 30. From what I’ve played of the game thus far, it is more inline with their older PSP games and is much faster paced as well as more functionally immediate compared to Macross 30. It also looks surprisingly good for a Vita game and runs very smoothly. I can only hope this will be the start of a new series of Vita based Macross games by the studio. With any luck, I’ll get around to reviewing Macross Delta Scramble in the next few weeks. You can import the game here.

Bandai has released more photos of Metal Build F91 Gundam, from the Gundam movie of the same name, which is planned to be released early next year. This figure first appeared at the 56th All Japan Model Hobby Show and has generated lots of buzz among gunpla enthusiasts who want this (like me). The above image is my favorite from the set. Until then, I’ll keep you posted with any updates!

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia have recently announced that an English version of the newly revealed Gundam Versus will be headed to South East Asian territories. To be more specific, the game will have the original Japanese VAs but use English subtitles, similar to localized version of Gundam EXVS Force for the Vita. As we know the latest title eventually was western-bound, this news does solidify the hope that the newest PS4 title will also head to Western territories. No other details were shared, but hopefully we hear more about the closed alpha test Bandai Namco mentioned during TGS 2016. Until then, we’ll keep you posted when further news hits!

During the TGS 2016 Gundam Games 15th Anniversary panel, Gundam Versus producer Ryuichiro Baba announced the upcoming PS4 title will be getting a closed alpha test soon. They will be releasing more information about how to participate in the near future through their official twitter page. What we do know is that it will be a local-only affair, so we’re going to have to wait a bit longer to get our online battling on. Whether or not the alpha is limited to just JP PSN accounts is another unknown as well.

Baba also mentioned that he’s looking to differentiate the console experience from what we know from previous arcade-derived titles, on top of wanting a worldwide audience to get into the 2v2 gameplay the Gundam VS series is known for. As to how the difference will be between the arcade and console experiences is still yet to be determined. Considering their last forays in bringing 2v2 gameplay to the West (Rise of Incarnates, Gundam Extreme VS Force) haven’t exactly garnered the greatest of praise from the hardcore Gundam VS fans, it will be interesting to see what they consider.

Needless to say, we won’t be seeing this game released until after the 1st half of 2017. During the panel, Amuro Ray VA Tohru Furuya tried his best to get a solid release date from Baba, but was met with a possible Autumn release for next year. This also coincides with a recent Famitsu Magazine article that mentions the game is only 30% complete and the game is using a brand new engine dubbed the “Nu Library.” This engine is being worked on by Julien Merceron, the former worldwide technology director and architect of the Fox Engine at Konami. At the very least, this game is going to look amazing.

As always, we’all keep you up to date on the closed alpha and other information on the game as it drops!